Fluid dispensing arrangement



United States Patent Oflice assess 3,180,539 FLUlD DISPENSKNG AGEMENT Ioseph Petronello, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Petroco, Los Angeles, Calif., a partnership of Los Angeles, Calif. Filed Apr. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 190,310 8 Claims. (Cl. 222514) This invention relates to the fluid dispensing art and, more particularly, to an improved closure arrangement for dispensing viscous fluids from collapsible containers.

Many fluids in common use, particularly viscous fluids such as toothpaste, are presently dispensed from collapsible tubes through an orifice of reduced area coupled to the tube. The structure forming the orifice is generally provided with an external thread upon which a cap is installed when the tube is not in use. The removal and replacing of the cap is often diflicult for small children who have not yet developed the manual dexterity to satisfactorily perform these operations. Further, dropping or losing of the cap is not only annoying, but often may result in an unsanitary condition to the contents of the tube. Consequently, manufacturers of viscous fluids so dispensed have long sought a simple and economical closure for their tubes forming a permanent part thereof to thus eliminate the inherent problems associated with a removable cap.

In addition to being economical in cost, the closure required must also be sanitary and aesthetically pleasing in order to be acceptable to a large market potential. As far as applicant is aware, no prior device has satisfactorily filled these needs.

Accordingly, it is an object of applicants invention to provide an improved closure for fluid dispensing systems.

It is another object of applicants invention to provide an improved closure arrangement for fluid dispensing systems that is economical to manufacture and aesthetically pleasing.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved closure arrangement that may be readily adapted to many existing fluid dispensing systems.

The above and other objects are achieved according to one embodiment of this invention by providing, in an improved closure, a body member having an internal cavity therethrough. Internal threads may be included at one end of the body member to allow insertion on a fluid filled tube. Alternatively, the body member may be formed as part of the tube structure itself. A shaft member is slidably mounted in the internal cavity of the body member and the shaft member has walls defining a passageway communicating at its lower end with the fluid in the tube and terminating at the upper end in an ejector port. The shaft member is yieldingly restrained in the cavity of the body member by a spring means abutting against a shoulder on the body member at its upper end and against a shoulder on the shaft member at its lower end. The spring member maintains the shaft member in a first position for the condition existing when no pressure is exerted on the tube. In this first position, the ejector port is restrained to remain within the cavity. When pressure is exerted on the tube, as by squeezing, the fluid in the tube presses against the lower end of the shaft member. A first part of the fluid exerts a force thereon, forcing the shaft member against the spring into a second position in which the ejector port is exterior the cavity. A second part of the fluid is forced into the lower end of the passageway, travels the length thereof, and then is forced out the ejector port. The fluid emerging from the ejector port may then be utilized as desired.

When pressure on the tube is released, the spring member forces the shaft member back to the first position and the ejector port is sanitarily located inside the cavity.

The above and other embodiments of this invention are more fully disclosed in the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar elements and in which:

FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of applicants invention; and

FIGURES 3, 4, and 5 illustrate another embodiment of applicants invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown the structure associated with one embodiment of applicants invention. For convenience of description, this embodiment of applicants invention is shown as utilized on a tube of toothpaste. However, it will be appreciated that it may be utilized on any pressure operated fluid dispensing arrangement such as squeeze bottles, aerosol dispensers, and the like. As shown on FIGURE 1, a tube 19 filled with fluid 12 has generally thin, collapsible walls 14 and an orifice structure 16 provided with external screw threads 18 upon which a cap (not shown) is usually installed. Applicants closure, generally designated 20, is shown on FIGURE 1 in a first or closed position and is coupled to the tube It). The closure 20 comprises a body member 22 having walls 24 defining a cavity 26. Internal screw threads 18' are provided on the body member 22, to match the screw threads 18 of the tube 10, upon which the closure 26 is mounted. If desired, the body member 22 may be formed as a part of the structure of tube 10 during fabrication thereof to provide a more unitary construction. I A shaft means 28 is contained within the cavity 26 and has walls defining a passageway 39 therethrough terminating in an ejector port 34. The shaft means 28 is slidably mounted in the channel formed by wall portions 24a of walls 24 of the body member 22 and the ejector port 34 is positioned at an angle to the passageway 3%) so that it faces the wall portions 24a. Depending upon the viscosity of the fluid 12, a sealing means such as an O-ring seal 36 may be provided on the shaft means 28 in regions adjacent the wall portions 24a. However, applicant has found that a seal is generally not required when the fluid 12 is a viscous fluid such as toothpaste.

A spring means 33 yieldingly restrains movement of the shaft means 28 through the channel formed by wall portions 24a by bearing at its upper end against a shoulder 4% of body member 22 and at its lower end against the upper surface 42a of a shoulder 42 coupled to shaft means 28. The spring constant of spring means 38 is selected from considerations of the viscosity of the fluid 12, the friction between the shaft means 28 and wall portions 24a, and the desired flow rate of fluid 12 desired for a given pressure exerted thereon.

To provide a more aesthetic appearance and also to increase the sanitary protection, the preferred embodiment of applicants invention also comprises cover means 44- coupled to the shaft means 28.- The cover means 44 fits flush against the upper surface 4-6 of body member 22 when in the closed position, as shown on FIGURE 1. A lip means 48 which projects beyond the edge of the body member 22 may be included on the cover means 54 to assist in moving the shaft means 28 manually if, for any reason, its normal pressure operated movement is prevented. 1

When forces are exerted on the collapsible wall portions 14 of tube 10, as by squeezing them together, the fluid 12 is subjected to pressure and is forced through the orifice structure 16 of the tube It) into the cavity 2s and bears against a bottom surface 42b of shoulder means 42. This forces the closure 20 into a second or open position which is shown on FIGURE 2.

As shown on FIGURE 2, as the fluid 12 is forced Patented Apr. 27, 1965 s V I 7 against the bottom surface 42b of shoulder means 42, th

shaft means 28 moves in the direction indicated by the ar.

. ended and spring means 38 forces the shaft means 28 back in the direction indicated by arrow 52 to the first or closed position illustrated in FIGURE 1. The cover means 44 then reseats on surface 46 to close oif entrance to the cavity 26.

After the initial operation of the closure 20, some of the 'fluid 12 will be retained in the portion 26a of cavity 26 7 between the upper surface 42a of shoulder 42 and shoulder 40 of body member 22. The fluid 12thus contained entered the portion 26a through the space 54 between the walls 24 .and shoulder 42. Since the area of the bottom surface 42b of shoulder 42 is greater than the area of the upper surface 42a, the total force exerted by the fluid 12 in the direction shown by arrow 50 on shoulder 42 is greater than the force exerted by the fluid 12 in the direction shown by arrow 52 on shoulder 42. Consequently, the fluid 12 in the cavity portion 26a i displaced theremeans 38' from the first position shown on FIGURE 3 in As this movement is conthedirection of the arrow 50. tinned, the ejector port 34' is forced beyond the upper surface 46 of body member 22 and fluid 12 is dispensed from the ejector port 34. However, as movement of the shaft means 28' is continued, the runner 6t enters the 'arcuate portion 62b of track 62. This causes rotational movement of the valve .56 on pivot pin means 58 and the valve 56 is forced into the second position. In this position, shown by dashed lines on FIGURES ,4 and 5, the valve 56 substantially covers the entrance topassage 36' and terminates the entrance of fluid 12 therein. This causes termination of dispensing of fluid 12' from ejector port 34'.

The closure 20' will remain in this condition until I pressure on tube is released and the spring means 38' returns the shaft means 28' and valve 56 to the first posifrom during motion of the shaft means28 in the direction 7 shown by arrow 50 through the space 54. A similar displacement of fluid 12 occurs during the return of shaft means 28 by the spring means 38 to the first position.

The difference in area between the bottom surface 42b and the'upper surface 42a of the shoulder 42 may be preselected by choosing a desired value of the dimension d of shaft means 28.

In the dispensing of many fluids from collapsible tubes, it is oftendesirable to dispense only a preselected amount of fluid each time and provide a positive termination of fluid dispensing even though pressure is maintained upon the fluid in the tube. In another embodiment of applicants invention, illustrated in FIGURE 3, an automatic termination feature is provided. As shown thereon, a body member 22' of a closure 20' is, in this embodiment, formed as a unitary part of a. collapsible, fluid filled tube 10', which, for example, may be a toothpaste filled tube. A shaft means 28 is slidably mounted in the body memfirst position, shown in solid lines, as shaft means 28 moves in the direction indicated by arrow 50' on FIG- URE 3. However, as runner 6t enters a second, arc-uate 7 portion 62b of track 6 2, it engages the wall portions 64 which force the runner 60 to follow the path of arcuate portion 62b. This causes a pivotal movement of the valve movement with shaft means 28'.

The two positions of the valve 56 are illustrated in FIG URE'S. In the first position, shown in solid lines, the

valve 56 is clear of the entrance to passage When the valve 56 is in the second position, it substantially covers the entrance to passage 30.

7 Operation of this embodiment may be better understood by reference to FIGURES 3, 4 and 5. When pressure is exerted on the tube means 10', the fluid .12 contained therein is forcedinto the. cavity 26' and bears against a bottom surface 42a of shoulder 42. Part of the fluid 12 7 her 22' and function ina manner analogous to the shaft 56 with respect to the shaft means 28', in addition to linear dispensed from closure 20' from the time pressure is applied to tube 10 until the shaft means 28 and valve 56 move from the first to the second position. The exact amount of fluid dispensed may be predetermined by properlyselecting the size of passage 30', the length of shaft means 28', and the shape of track 62 for a particularly positioned valve 56.

Those skilled in the art will find many variations and adaptations of applicants invention. Therefore, the foregoing description of the various embodiments of applicants invention together with the accompanying drawing are intended to be illustrative and not limiting and the appended claims are intended to cover all variations. and adaptations within the true scope and spirit of this invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In combination:

a body member having internal wall portions defining an internalcavity;

a shaft member contained within said cavity and comprising a first portion slidably engaging first preselectedareas of said wall portions, a shoulder portion coupled to said'first portion, and said shoulder portion spaced a preselected distance from second preselected areas of said internal wall portions of said body member to define a gap therebetween, and walls defining an internal passageway through said first portion and said shoulder portion;

a spring means between said body member and said shoulder portion of said shaft member for yieldin-gly restraining motion of said'shaft member in said internalcavity; and

a cover means coupled to said shaft member for engag- "ing preselected external wall portions of said body member.

'2. In combination:

a body member having first internal walls defining an internal cavity, second internal walls defining an elongated channel communicating at a first end thereof with said internal cavity and at a second end with regions external said body member, and external wall portions adjacent said second end of said channel;

alshaft member contained within. said internal cavity .having "a first portion mounted for reciprocating movement in said channel, a shoulder portion spaced a preselected distance from said first internal walls of said body member to define a gap therebetween, and wall portions defining'a passageway having a first end in said shoulder portion communicating with said internal cavity and a second end in said first portion communicating with regions external said shaft member;

a springmeans mounted between said shoulder portion of said shaft member and said body member for yieldingly restraining reciprocating movement of said shaft member in said channel; and cover means coupled to said shaft member and adapted to engage said external wall portions of said body member.

In combination: body member having first internal walls defining an internal cavity, second internal walls defining an elongated channel cornmunicating at a first end thereof with said internal cavity and at a second end with regions external said body member;

a shaft member contained Within said internal cavity a spring means mounted between said shoulder portion of said shaft member and said body member for yieldingly restraining reciprocating movement of said shaft member in said channel.

4. An improved closure for fluid dispensing systems comprising, in combination:

a body member having first wall portions defining a fiuid receiving cavity, second wall portions defining a channel communicating at a first end thereof with said cavity and at a second end with regions external said body member, and third wall portions adjacent said second end of said channel;

shaft member having a first cross sectional area mounted for reciprocating movement in said channel and extending a predetermined distance into said cavity and providing a substantially close fit with said second wall portions of said body member and having walls defining a fiuid transmitting passageway therethrough, a first end of said passageway communicating with said cavity and a second end adapted to communicate with regions external said shaft member;

a shoulder member spaced from said first wall portions spring means intermediate said shoulder member and said body member for yieldingly restraining reciproeating movement of said shaft member in said channel.

5. An improved closure for fluid dispensing systems comprising, in combination:

a body member having first wall portions defining a fluid receiving cavity, second wall portions defining a channel communicating at a first end thereof with said cavity and at a second end with regions external said body member, and third wall portions adjacent said second end of said channel;

shaft member having a first cross sectional area mounted for reciprocating movement in said channel extending a predetermined distance into said cavity and providing a substantially close fit with said second wall portions of said body member and having walls defining a fluid transmitting passageway there through, a first end of said passageway communicating with said cavity and a second end adapted to communicate with regions member;

a shoulder member coupled to said shaft member adjacent said first end of said passageway a preselected distance from said first end of said channel and having a second cross sectional area greater than said first cross sectional area of said shaft member and having walls defining an aperture therethrough communicating with said first end of said passageway;

spring means intermediate said shoulder member and said body member for yieldingly restraining reciprocating movement of said shaft member in said channel;

track means coupled to said first wall portions of said body member having a straight portion substantially parallel to said shaft member and an arcuate portion;

valve means pivotally coupled to said shoulder member; and

runner means coupled to said valve means and slidably mounted in said track means and said valve means positioned to be clear of said aperture for the condition of said runner in said straight portion of said track means and to substantially cover said aperture for the condition of said runner in said arcuate portion of said track means.

6. In combination:

a body member having first wall portions defining a fluid receiving cavity, second Wall portions defining a channel communicating at a first end thereof with said cavity and at a second end with regions external said body member, and third wall portions adjacent said second end of said channel;

a shaft member having a first cross sectional area mounted for reciprocating movement in said channel and extending a predetermined distance into said cavity and having wall portions defining a fluid transmitting passageway therethrough, a first end of said passageway communicating with said cavity and a second end adapted to communicate with regions external said shaft member;

a shoulder member coupled to said shaft member adjacent said first end of said passageway and said shoulder member having an aperture therethrough communicating with said first end of said passageway whereby fiuid in said cavity is transmitted through said aperture to said passageway, and said shoulder member spaced a preselected distance from said first end of said channel and having a second cross sectional area greater than said first cross sectional area of said shaft member;

spring means intermediate said shoulder member and said body member for yieldingly restraining reciproeating movement of said shaft member in said channel; and

said shaft member adapted to move for the condition of fluid pressure exerted on said shoulder means from a first position to a second position, said second end of said fluid transmitting passageway contained within said channel at said first position and in regions external said body member at said second position.

7. In combination:

a body member having first wall portions defining a fiiiid receiving cavity, second wall portions defining a channel communicating at a first end thereof with said cavity and at a second end with regions external said body member, and third wall portions adjacent said second end of said channel;

a shaft member having a first cross sectional area mounted for reciprocating movement in said channel and extending a predetermined distance into said cavity and having wall portions defining a fluid transmitting passageway therethrough, a first end of said passageway communicating with said cavity and a external said shaft with regions said shaft member adapted to move for the condition of fluid pressure exerted on said shoulder means from a first position to a second position, said second end of said fluid transmitting passageway contained Within said channel at said first position and in regions external said body member at said second position; i valve means pivotally coupled to said shoulder member and having a first position clear of said aperture and a second position substantially blocking said aperture; and V, p 7 means coupled to said valve means and slidingly engagingtpreselected portions of said firsttwall portions of said body member for selectively moving, said valve means from said first position to said second I comprising, in combination:

a body member having first wall portions defining a fluid receiving cavity, second wall portions defining V a channel communicating at a first end thereof with said cavity and at a second end with regions external said body member, and third walliportions adjacent said second end of said channel;

a shaft member having a first cross sectional area mounted for reciprocating movement in said channel extending a predetermined distance into said cavity and providing a substantially close fit with said second wall portions of said body member and having walls defining a fluid transmitting passageway therethrough, a first end of said passageway communicating with said cavity and a second end adapted to communicate with regions external said shaft a shoulder member coupled to said shaft member adjacent said first end of said passageway a preselected distance from said first end of said channel and havin a second cross sectional area greater than said first cross sectional area of said shaft member and having walls defining an aperture therethrough communicating with said first end of said passageway;

spring means'intermediat'e' said shoulder member and said body member for yieldingly restraining reciprocating movement of said shaft member in said channel;

cover means coupled to said shaft means for energizin said third wall portions of said body member;

fiuid seal means intermediate said shaft member and said second wall portions of said body member;

track means coupled to said first wall portions of said body member having a straight portion substantially parallel to said shaft member and an arcuate portion;

valve means pivotally coupled to said shoulder member;

and

runner means coupled to said valvemeansand slidably mounted in said track means and said valve means,

positioned to be clear of said aperture for the condition of said runner in said straight portion of said track means and to substantially cover said aperture for the condition of said runner in said arcuate portion of said track means;

,References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 529,221

11/94 Wagner 222-514 889,738 6/08 Weber 222-506 X 1,838,384 12/31 Frohmann 222-496 1,961,880 6/34 Hine et al. 222-514 2,504,276 4/50 Olsen 222-514 X 2,596,592 5/52 Parker e 222-92 2,625,303 1/537 Mays 222-514 X 2,788,925 4/57 Ward 222-514 X FOREIGN PATENTS 370,398 4/ 32 Great Britain PAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

' LOUIS I. DEMBO, Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION: A BODY MEMBER HAVING INTERNAL WALL PORTIONS DEFINING AN INTERNAL CAVITY; A SHAFT MEMBER CONTAINED WITHIN SAID CAVITY AND COMPRISING A FIRST PORTION SLIDABLY ENGAGING FIRST PRESELECTED AREAS OF SAID WALL PORTIONS, A SHOULDER PORTION COUPLED TO SAID FIRST PORTION, AND SAID SHOULDER PORTION SPACED A PRESELECTED DISTANCE FROM SECOND PRESELECTED AREAS OF SAID INTERNAL WALL PORTIONS OF SAID BODY MEMBER TO DEFINE A GAP THEREBETWEEN, AND WALLS DEFINING AN INTERNAL PASSAGEWAY THROUGH SAID FIRST PORTION AND SAID SHOULDER PORTION; A SPRING MEANS BETWEEN SAID BODY MEMBER AND SAID SHOULDER PORTION OF SAID SHAFT MEMBER FOR YIELDINGLY RESTRAINING MOTION OF SAID SHAFT MEMBER IN SAID INTERNAL CAVITY; AND A COVER MEANS COUPLED TO SAID SHAFT MEMBER FOR ENGAGING PRESELECTED EXTERNAL WALL PORTIONS OF SAID BODY MEMBER. 